X4 Foundations

This hasn't been on my radar before as I wasn't really gaming for years despite always having a beefy system. Anyway I have always played No mans Sky but that was always my go to escapism when I needed to de-stress. So I guess the question is, is this a game someone can pick up and sink many hours into?. I enjoy this type of genre but dislike the certain child like aspect of NMS. Oh one last thing, I am not in anyway suggesting that these 2 games are comparable out with the setting!.
x4 takes days to even get anywhere.
you realise it's mostly sand box with not much of a story?

The universe kinda feels alive though, the npc empires build stations, send fleets out to defend/attack there's always some skirmish going on someplace.

Most of the game is just setting up your own empire, buying mining ships, traders, building stations to plug any gaps and make money etc.


The games what you make it, there's no "win condition"
The only end is when you personally die.


You can fly around manually your self, apart from early game there's not much point though, It's more like an RTS capitalism game how I play it.

You can be onboard a ship, but have someone else pilot it and just give them commands :P
 
to add, there is a story element to it as well but your not limited to it.
there are "secrets" i.e. derelic ships if you go look for them or keep an eye open for them.
The new time lines stuff seems to be outside of sandbox and like a set of missions.

I've not tried them yet, I think you get rewards for the open world normal mode though
 
I started a new game a few days ago after not playing for years.

I'm 40 hours in so far with no SETA.

only now am I seeing large fleets around and people fighting each other.

Seems my neighbours the ZVA are getting into scraps with everyone and don't really have any fleet of their own or defence force..

I noticed their shipyard needs loads of smart chips and they don't seem to have access to any, so I started making them next door at my HQ.
hopefully they get some defence soon cos the xenons are kinda pounding them.

I only have one boron gunship and can't really fight the stronger waves that are starting to come.


First 30 odd hours was really quiet and seemed kinda boring, so it takes atleast that long for the empires to become properly active and for the xenons to do more than send frigs
 
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Every time I'm about to start this I swear I see there is some massive change pending. The new flight model looks very interesting, especially as I've got new joysticks to play with.
 
This thread has reminded me how long it's been since I have played X4 properly.

Like others, I keep intending on firing it back up. At my last attempt, I realised how much I've missed and forgotten (main saves are pre covid) and my huge galactic empire goes back into my steam library for another day.

Still got my X, X2 and X3 original boxed versions on the shelf for nostalgia.

Such a brilliant series though over the last 25 years.
 
The main reasons to add any of the DLC from the beginning would be if you're looking for a specific starting storyline or want some of the faction stuff right at the start.
If you're not bothered about either of those, then you can add it as you go.
 
X4 New flight model 7.50 patch now out.

Pilots, the wait is over! Today marks another major milestone for X4: Foundations with the release of:

The Flight Model Update - A complete overhaul of ship flight dynamics, making every manoeuvre smoother, more responsive, and more immersive than ever before.

The X4: Hyperion Pack - A new DLC introducing the legendary Hyperion Expeditionary Ship, a new gamestart, a new sector, and more.

The free 7.50 update further improves and enhances X4: Foundations, making it more dynamic and immersive than ever before. And for those who want to support the continued development of X4, purchasing the X4: Hyperion Pack helps us push forward with our ambitious plans for the future - even as we're on our way to X4's 7th anniversary in November!

Let's dive into the details.

X4: Foundations Flight Model Update + X4: Hyperion Pack Launch Trailer Major Update Out Now!

Fly Like Never Before - The Flight Model Update

The Flight Model Update revolutionises the way you pilot ships in X4: Foundations, featuring extensive changes to ship handling, and balance. Every ship feels smoother, more responsive, and more immersive than ever before.

What's Changed?
  • Overhauled Flight Physics - Ship control and flight pathing have been completely revamped, making movement more natural and precise.
  • Boost Mechanic Revamp - Boosting now has its own dedicated energy pool, allowing for more strategic manoeuvring during combat and travel.
  • Enhanced Gravidar Display - Improved readability and functionality provides better situational awareness for navigation and combat.
  • New Behaviour Inspection Mode - A new tool to analyse and adjust ship behaviours, giving you the ability to diagnose and solve problems with the ships in your fleet.
  • Velocity Indicator - A visual speed display aids with precise navigation and in dogfights.
  • Wide Area Sensor Array Module - A new radar station module enhances detection capabilities, expanding your strategic awareness.
  • Graphical Enhancements - Major improvements to the graphics engine, including DLSS and FSR 3 support, making space more visually stunning.
  • Ship Rebalancing - Every ship in the game has been rebalanced, with refined engine, thruster, and component interactions.
  • New Sectors - Additional connections to Terran and Boron space, opening up fresh trade routes and exploration opportunities.
  • Economy Adjustments - Improvements to trade dynamics and resource flow, enhancing the in-game economy.
For the Deep Dive Enthusiasts…
For those who want a deep-dive into the numbers behind these flight model changes, John Pritchett has provided an in-depth breakdown of the mathematical principles and calculations that drive this update. John's document provides information about the model, shows what makes it unique relative to other flight models, and provides examples of how the model is being used in X4. If you want to explore the mathematics behind the new flight model, you can check out his detailed and highly technical document on the subject here (.pdf, 12MB).

As a reminder, in case you haven't seen our news back when the Public Beta for this update started, we partnered with John Pritchett, a former Senior Physics Programmer from the Star Citizen development team, to rework ship handling for this Flight Model Update.

hyperion_dlc_cover_01_small.jpg
X4: Hyperion Pack - Command a Legend
Alongside the Flight Model Update, we are proud to launch the X4: Hyperion Pack, a brand-new Mini DLC that introduces the legendary Hyperion Expeditionary Ship to X4: Foundations.

What's in the X4: Hyperion Pack?
The Hyperion Expeditionary Ship
- A legendary ship, reborn in X4
New mission chain - Earn the Hyperion through an exciting, story-driven experience
New gamestart - Jump straight into the action aboard the Hyperion
New sector - Uncharted space awaits your exploration
New music - Fresh tracks to enrich your X4 soundtrack

Why the Hyperion?
Veteran X players will remember the Hyperion from X3: Reunion's Bala Gi Missions, where it quickly became one of the most beloved ships in the franchise. Now, it's back with a brand-new classification - the Expeditionary class.

Fast, agile, and powerful
Six main gun mounts & M-sized turrets
L-class shielding & engines for durability and speed
Increased Hull Missile capacity
Small docking bay for three S-class ships (repair & resupply capability)

The Hyperion is the perfect ship for those who love high-speed combat and deep-space adventuring, providing a great deal of flexibility. It's not just a ship; it's a statement.

Get the X4: Hyperion Pack now on Steam!

Purchasing this DLC helps support the ongoing development of X4: Foundations - with many more updates planned for the future!

What's Next for X4?
With the Flight Model Update and the X4: Hyperion Pack now in your hands, it's time to look ahead at what's next for X4: Foundations. Our development roadmap is packed with exciting features, and here's what you can expect in the near future:

Diplomacy Update (Late 2025)
Prepare to engage in the intricate web of interstellar politics with our upcoming Diplomacy Update. This free base game expansion will introduce, among other things:
  • Diplomatic Headquarters - A new facility where faction representatives convene, offering strategic options.
  • Agent Missions - Deploy agents on independent missions to achieve diplomatic goals in the X universe.
This update will allow you to negotiate alliances, manipulate enemies, and engage in deep strategic gameplay on a whole new level.

Exploration Update (2026)
Uncharted territories await! The Exploration Updateexpands the horizons of X4: Foundations, featuring, among other things:
  • New Anomalies - Discover mysterious anomalies leading to hidden sectors filled with unique secrets and challenges.
  • Enhanced Scanning Mechanics - Improved Long-Range Scanner capabilities make deep-space exploration more rewarding.
  • Diverse Missions - A variety of new exploration-focused missions, rewarding curiosity and risk-taking.
This update caters to players who love the thrill of discovering the unknown, adding new layers of depth and adventure to the game.

Please check out our full Roadmap news from November 2024 for more details.

Thank You!
We hope you enjoy the new content coming your way today and as always, we appreciate your feedback as we shape the future of X4: Foundations together. Thank you for your support on this epic adventure that has taken us to a new X4 record of nearly 11,000 average daily active players in 2024 - wow!

Fly safe!
 
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